Xavier Falls to Marquette on Senior Night

Wednesday, March 1

Cincinnati, Ohio

9 p.m.

Xavier University

18-12, 8-9

Marquette

18-11, 9-8

Marquette

Xavier

03.01.17 | Men's Basketball

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J.P. Macura leads four Musketeers in double figures

By: Laura Topp, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – The Xavier Musketeers fall to the Marquette Golden Eagles 95-84 on Senior Night on Wednesday at Cintas Center. The Musketeers had four score in double figures led by J.P. Macura's 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. Malcolm Bernard finished with 13 points, matching his career high for a second-straight game.

FIRST HALF

Xavier took an early 4-2 lead before the Golden Eagles jumped out in front, taking a six-point lead in the first five minutes of the game.

The Musketeers responded to a Golden Eagle 10-4 run when Malcolm Bernard hits a deep three as the shot clock expired. This fueled Xavier's 6-0 run tying the game at 10.

After the Golden Eagles pushed the lead out to as many as nine, Xavier would pull to within three, 21-18, with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

From that point, MU steadily built its advantage, leading by as many as 15.

The Musketeers trailed 31-44 at the break.

J.P. Macura led the Musketeers with 12 points in the first half.

Three Musketeers had four rebounds to lead the team as Xavier held a 19-16 advantage on the boards at the break.

Xavier had nine turnovers to five for Marquette, which the Golden Eagles used to outscore the Musketeers 13-0 on second chance points.

SECOND HALF

The Musketeers opened the final 20 minutes going on a 9-5 run in the first four minutes of the half, fueled by Trevon Bluiett's step back three.

Quentin Goodin found Bernard for a wide open three off the drive.

Xavier also went on a 9-2 run mid second half led by Rashid Gaston's four points.

Bluiett had a team-high 13 points in the second half, hitting on 4-of-5 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from outside, in the second half.

Gaston finished the game with 16 points, shooting 100 percent from the free throw line and 66 percent from the field.

Xavier shot 80 percent from the line, the second highest free-throw shooting percentage this season in BIG EAST play.

Xavier also scored 53 points in the second half, most points in a half this season.

The Musketeers out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 9-3 on the offensive boards and 29-26 overall.

Goodin finished tied for most assists with five, including finding Gaston open on the base line for the two-handed slam dunk early in the first half.
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NOTABLE

This is Gaston's 11th double-figure game this season.

Bernard also had his seventh double figure game this season.

Xavier outscored the Golden Eagles 12-0 on second-chance points after grabbing nine offensive boards.

Marquette turned 14 Xavier turnovers inn 25 points. Xavier finished with nine points off 10 Marquette turnovers.

Xavier closes out the regular season on Saturday when the Musketeers travel to Chicago to face DePaul at 2:00 P.M. ET. The game will be available on Fox Sports regional networks including Fox Sports Ohio.